Requirements

You must successfully complete one year of fellowship training in a nuclear radiology program accredited by the ACGME or by the RCPSC (Canada).

You will have 10 years after successfully completing the subspecialty training requirements to obtain certification.

Under current rules, no credit will be given for any nuclear training obtained during the four years of diagnostic radiology training.

Fellowship training must be documented by letter from the program director.

Provide evidence of a current state medical license with an expiration date.

Leave of Absence

Leaves of absence and vacation may be granted to fellows at the discretion of the program director in accordance with local rules.

Within the required period(s) of graduate medical education, the total of such leave and vacation time may not exceed six calendar weeks (30 working days) for fellows in a program for one year.

16‐Month Residency Pathway to Nuclear Radiology Subspecialty Certification (within a 48‐month Diagnostic Radiology Residency)

The ABR has approved conditions and requirements for a new pathway leading to eligibility for both diagnostic radiology primary certification and nuclear radiology subspecialty certification. Residents who complete 16 months of nuclear medicine within a four‐year ACGME‐accredited radiology program are eligible for this new pathway.

THE PATHWAY REQUIREMENTS

• 16 months of nuclear medicine within a 48‐month radiology residency.
• Ten of these months must be consecutive to preserve clinical care and learning continuity mimicking the experience of traditional fellowship pathways.
• Up to two months of nuclear medicine training in the clinical year (PGY) may count toward the 16‐month requirement, if obtained in an institution with an ACGME‐accredited diagnostic radiology residency.
• The sponsoring diagnostic radiology residency program must be in an institution with either an ACGME‐accredited nuclear radiology fellowship or an ACGME‐accredited nuclear medicine residency program.
• The program must fulfill the ABR requirements for NRC training and experience, leading to an authorized user (AU)‐eligible diagnostic radiology certificate.

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY and NUCLEAR RADIOLOGY CERTIFICATIONS

Trainees completing such a program will be admitted to the ABR certifying examination at 15 months post residency. After certification in diagnostic radiology, the DR diplomate may take the nuclear radiology subspecialty examination (CAQ) at the earliest opportunity. No additional interval clinical experience is required.

Alternate Pathway to Subspecialty Certification

A diplomate of the ABR may attain subspecialty certification without taking an accredited fellowship in nuclear radiology if he/she is on the subspecialty faculty at an institution with an ACGME-accredited fellowship in that discipline. Serving on the subspecialty faculty at a single institution for two consecutive years with at least a .75 FTE in that discipline, or for three consecutive years with at least a .50 FTE in that discipline, would qualify the faculty member to take the initial subspecialty examination.

A registration form is required for the alternate pathway. It must be submitted to the ABR before a decision is made on candidate qualifications. Please note that a registration for attaining subspecialty certification by the alternate pathway will expire in 10 years if certification is not achieved by that time.

Eligibility Reinstatement Pathway to Subspecialty Certification (for diplomates with lifetime certification and more than 10 years since completion of fellowship)

For a limited time period, a diplomate of the ABR may regain an opportunity to attain subspecialty certification when more than 10 years have passed since the completion of a fellowship. A candidate must have completed 12 months of either an ACGME-accredited fellowship OR a 12-month fellowship that was in place before ACGME began the accreditation process (i.e., nuclear radiology in 1988, neuroradiology and pediatric radiology in 1990, and vascular and interventional radiology in 1991). In addition, the candidate's current practice must consist of at least 60 percent in the subspecialty.

Duration of application acceptance:

Applications will be accepted for a three-year period, beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2014. The application period is July 1 to December 31 each year (2011, 2012, and 2013). The candidate must submit an administrative fee of $300 at the time of application. For further details, download the Policy and the Application Form.